My first thought: "This is it?!"
Okay it is definitely a little short, but maybe less is more. Your "essay" is extremely powerful. You really know how to speak and express your opinions.
I only have a few things to say.
Risking disease to study in Ghana or risking parental disownment by changing majors, unfamiliar is normal.
When you said "the unfamiliar is normal," the way you just plugged it into the sentence like that really doesnt flow with the sentence. I suggest rewording it maybe like saying "the unfamiliar is normal at New York University" or something.
I believe that by being apart of a global community it will better prepare me for life after college.
Other than a few corrections, this is really good. It's strong but to the point.